The fourth day of NABARD’s Grameen Bharat Mahotsav focused on the rich cultural heritage and socio-economic growth of India’s tribal communities. The day began with an insightful panel discussion titled ‘Tribal Treasures: Preserving Legacy and Driving Economy,’ focusing on issues faced by tribal populations and the need for holistic development.
Goverdhan Singh Rawat, Deputy Managing Director of NABARD, shared his vision for a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India), emphasising four pillars of inclusive development: Women, Youth, Farmers, and the Underprivileged. He shared the importance of addressing tribal issues while preserving their art, traditions, and cultural heritage.
The discussion highlighted key challenges faced by tribal communities, including migration, scarce livelihood opportunities, access to financing, and inadequate documentation, which impede financial inclusion. Panellists stressed the importance of updating tribal skills while preserving their originality, fostering bank connections, and leveraging digital tools to modernise crafts and market linkages.
The session also explored opportunities for social impact investing through Social Stock Exchanges (SSEs). The panellists discussed how such an internet portal could attract investment for tribal development, with NABARD having a crucial role to play in securing investor confidence and driving social impact investments.
Entrepreneur Showcase
The event featured tribal entrepreneurs who showcased their unique crafts and business ventures, illustrating how traditional art forms can be adapted to contemporary markets while preserving their authenticity.
Cultural Show: A Glimpse of India’s Diversity
The day ended with a spellbinding cultural presentation on the diverse art forms that represent the rich tribal and regional art heritage of India. The evening included moving, heart-touching Kerala Temple Chants by Madhavan Namboothri, which conveyed the mystic atmosphere of Kerala. Bhuvanesh Komkali from Madhya Pradesh has delighted the audience with Malwa Lok Geet.
The lively Baul Music rendition by Dipannita Acharya, along with her band from the state of West Bengal, underscored the intrinsic soulfulness of telling the stories familiar to the Baul tradition, whereas the lively Punjabi Folk Rock of Faridkot infused a contemporary flavour into the pulsating musical tradition of the state of Punjab. Performances demonstrated multifold artistic richness and cultural richness of India.
